Veteran Bollywood actor Mumtaz has revealed why she has largely stayed away from television, despite receiving frequent offers over the years. The actor, who made her first TV appearance in more than five decades on Indian Idol Season 13 in 2023 alongside Dharmendra, said the reason is simple she refuses to compromise on her fee.
In a conversation with Vickey Lalwani, Mumtaz shared that her appearance on Indian Idol remains her only television outing to date. “Even today, they call me on television. When I went on TV for the first time with Dharam ji and danced with him on the stage, that was the only time I went on television,” she said.
Mumtaz revealed that she has been approached over a hundred times since then but has consistently quoted the same remuneration. According to her, while many celebrities agree to appear for Rs 3-4 lakh, she has never been willing to match those figures. “Till now, they have contacted me over one hundred times and I told them about my price,” she said, adding, “They said that people do it in Rs 3–4 lakh, so I told them that I can’t say anything for those people. That’s their wish. They can do it for free also, but this is my price. I have always been like that,” she stated firmly.
The actor disclosed that she was paid around Rs 18-20 lakh for her Indian Idol appearance and has made it clear that she can only adjust her fee by a marginal amount. “I have told the television people a thousand times that this is my price. I can adjust Rs 20-25k, but not more than that. I did only one show. They said they can’t pay me, and I haven’t done it. I don’t want to do it. Paisa pheko, tamasha dekho!” she said.
Mumtaz added that valuing her work has always been important to her even during her peak years in Hindi cinema. Recalling why she turned down Ramesh Sippy’s Seeta Aur Geeta, she explained that remuneration was one of several factors. “Not just fees. But yes, that was also one of the reasons. Ramesh Sippy sahab was a big producer and director at that time, so he thought I might do it in Rs 2 lakh because he was a big producer. Every big producer has their own ego issue, ” she said, adding that she was already flooded with offers at the time and didn’t feel compelled to accept the role.
Though the film eventually went on to become a massive hit with Hema Malini, Mumtaz said she never regretted her decision. “Thankfully, I was getting so many films already that I didn’t feel this film would do anything special for me. So, things didn’t work out between us. But you see, Hema Malini did it na.” Asked if she ever regretted turning down the film, Mumtaz firmly said no. “How many other films in her career became a hit? She has more or me? Please make the list, I have given more hits,” she said, before adding, “I don’t want to overstate, please forgive me God! But because you asked this, I had to answer.”
Explaining her stance further, Mumtaz said lowering one’s fee can have long-term consequences. “I would have loved to do that subject, but I didn’t want to lower my value or level. Producers start questioning if you do a film at a lesser fee for someone,” she noted.
Mumtaz and Dharmendra were one of the most loved on-screen pairs of the 1970s, sharing screen space in films like Loafer and Jheel Ke Us Paar. Recently, the actor also paid an emotional tribute to Dharmendra on social media, remembering their enduring bond and shared cinematic journey.
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